[Some psychological predictors for psychosis after open heart surgery (author's transl)].

In a study of postoperative psychosis after open heart surgery three psychopathological syndromes were identified which had different psychological predictors. Predictors of postoperative emotional disturbances are family problems and the lack of plans for the future, whereas patients with postoperative disorientations seem to have difficulties in their jobs and therefore feel distressed preoperatively. Predictors of the paranoid syndrome after the operation are: a high degree of fear in awaiting the operation and little confidence in the doctors. The social surroundings of these patients are often unstable and although they have no precise plans for the future they object to start working again after operation.